This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/31/2019
Prior to John F. Kennedy taking office, U.S. relations with Indonesia and its President Sukarno were tumultuous. President Eisenhower disapproved of the Indonesian leader's leftist proclivities and promiscuity and repeatedly refused to offer U.S. support. Kennedy believed that Eisenhower's policy toward Indonesia - including a disastrous covert support for Indonesian rebels in the late 1950s - had been a mistake. He and his advisors realized that personal dipolomacy was the key to dealing with Sukarno and his communist influence and sought to improve relations with the Indonesian President. In 1963, Kennedy appointed the Honorable Wilson Wyatt, Lt. Governor of Kentucky, as a special envoy to Indonesia to deal with Sukarno's threat to nationalize foreign oil companies there. Wyatt's mission was successful and Sukarno did not take over the foreign-owned elements of the Indonesian oil industry. Offered here is a letter on official White House letterhead dated June 5, 1963, addressed to Wyatt from President Kennedy thanking him for his willingness to attend to the matter and congratulating him on his success in reaching an agreement that was satisfactory on both sides. The letter has been signed by Kennedy in black steel tip. It has been framed together with copies of two other pieces of correspondence - one from Prime Minister Harold MacMillan thanking Kennedy for dealing with the issue and protecting both American and British interests, and the other from President Sukarno thanking Kennedy for sending Wyatt to negotiate the agreement. He notes that he is "confident about the useful role the United States can play in supporting the economic rehabilitation". Measures to an overall size of 18.5" x 33.5", these are three incredible pieces of history ready for immediate display in any home or office! Accompanied by a full Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA.